How much does it cost to spray specialty crops by drone in North Dakota?

Drone spraying specialty crops in North Dakota typically runs about $15–$28 per acre (application only, product extra). Carrier volume, passes, field size, and product move the final number — compare operator quotes for an exact price.

What carrier volume and how many passes for specialty crops?

Specialty Crops is usually treated at 3–8 GPA over Multiple (high-value crop protection). Vegetables, melons, and high-value row crops demand precise, low-drift coverage and often several passes — premium per-acre pricing.

Specialty Crops drone spraying cost in North Dakota

Researched per-acre cost to spray specialty crops by drone in North Dakota, the agronomy that drives it, and operators who cover your area.

Quick answer: Drone spraying for specialty crops in North Dakota typically runs $15–$28 per acre (application only). Vegetables, melons, and high-value row crops demand precise, low-drift coverage and often several passes — premium per-acre pricing. Typical carrier volume is 3–8 GPA over Multiple (high-value crop protection).

State

North Dakota

CropAcres

Gallons per acre (carrier volume)Applications (passes)

Restricted-use pesticide (certified applicator + records)

Estimated cost in North Dakota

$2,381–$4,464

$15–$28/acre × 160 acres

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What’s driving this

North Dakota base rate: $16–$30/acre (specialty)
Crop: ×0.93
Gallons per acre: 2 GPA → ×1.00

high confidence

Sources: NDSU — 2024 North Dakota Custom Rates, Early Season Operations (By Aircraft, All Pesticides: 1gal avg $9.76 / most-freq $9.75; 2-3gal avg $9.77; 4-5gal avg $10.00; >5gal avg $11.25; full range $4.50-$25.00); NDSU Agriculture — North Dakota Custom Rates (landing page / report index); Iowa State 2026 Farm Custom Rate Survey (anchor for calibration)

Estimate only — actual rates vary by field size, terrain, and product. Application only; product/chemical extra. Data as of 2026.

What it takes to spray specialty crops in North Dakota

Vegetables, melons, and high-value row crops demand precise, low-drift coverage and often several passes — premium per-acre pricing.

Carrier volume: 3–8 GPA — higher volumes cost more per acre (more refills, fewer acres/hour).
Typical passes: Multiple (high-value crop protection).

Sources & confidence

North Dakota estimate · high confidence · data as of 2026 — Direct, current extension survey. NDSU's 2024 Early-Season report breaks out 'By Aircraft (All Pesticides)' by carrier volume: averages climb from $9.76/ac (1 gal) to $11.25/ac (>5 gal), full reported range $4.50-$25.00. Typical $11 (aircraft average bracket), low $6 (large flat fields, low-volume work), high $18 (heavy-water/specialty passes; $25 max an outlier). costIndex 0.95 — slightly below Iowa: very large fields, deep established ag-aviation fleet, low-volume applications. Specialty band derived from national orchard range, set modestly below other states for ND's lower cost structure.

1 North Dakota operator treats specialty crops. Request free quotes.

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Other crops in North Dakota

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Specialty Crops drone spraying in North Dakota: FAQs

How much does it cost to spray specialty crops by drone in North Dakota?: Drone spraying specialty crops in North Dakota typically runs about $15–$28 per acre (application only, product extra). Carrier volume, passes, field size, and product move the final number — compare operator quotes for an exact price.
What carrier volume and how many passes for specialty crops?: Specialty Crops is usually treated at 3–8 GPA over Multiple (high-value crop protection). Vegetables, melons, and high-value row crops demand precise, low-drift coverage and often several passes — premium per-acre pricing.